Help Identify LR Critters...

nicenakago

nicenakago

Member
I think I have reached the point where "life" is starting to show itself from my LR (4 months). I need help identifying a few things, and if they are good or bad to have...
1. LONG/Skinny/Smooth skinned worm that is striped with off white and 2 or 3 shades of brown.
2. About the size of a pencil eraser/transparent white/looks like a real feather duster (probably is called one) that pokes out of the LR and fans out like a flower in the sun. When startled it quickly retracts back into the LR.
Thanks in advance everyone, I have been an aquarist for a couple years but only saw the light of Reefs 6 months ago. So sorry if these are no brain'ers
 
bang guy

bang guy

Moderator
Originally posted by Worm:
<strong>sure it's not a glass anenome? those guys grow like weeds!</strong><hr></blockquote>
Hmm, After looking at your description I guess this IS a possibility.
1. Can you see a tube
2. Try to feed it something meaty. If the food sticks to it it could very well be an Aiptasia.
Your worm... Does it always retract into the same hole. Can you describe it better. I'm sure it's harmless and probably beneficial but I'll need a better description to tell you what it is.
Guy
 
nicenakago

nicenakago

Member
1. The worm originally described... (see top) I have only seen it twice. But it seems to always cross an opening in the LR from top to bottom. The colors alternate from white/brown/black/white/brown/black/etc....
2. What Bang Guy is calling a featherduster (also originally described above) does look like it has a stem. Much like a flower but instead of a round center where petals would come off a flower, this almost looks like a funnel. A soft "feathery" funnel. And pretty sure it pokes out of the same hole. I have seen the same thing in another location of the LR. But can't confirm if it is the same one or not.
 
nicenakago

nicenakago

Member
Also... I looked at the pictures of the Feather Dusters on this site's store. What I have looks completly differant.
Mine does not have a variety of color (only that transparent white) and the "funnel" is all one piece.
 
rangermonroe

rangermonroe

Member
I Hve a critter similar to this. Mine looks like an opal. Iridescent/green/orange. brownish legs on both sides. It is photophobic, and retracts like a rubber band, when shot with a mag light. He builds slime tunnels around his hole with rocks and debris attached. He is 4-8", mostly hidden.
If this is your new tenant, mine has caused no harm in 4-5 months.
 
nm reef

nm reef

Active Member
Based on the info in your description I'd say you have a peanut worm and a duster....below is a link to hitchhiker information....maybe you'll find a positive ID of the new guests in your system... :cool:
<a href="http://www.reefcorner.com/hitchhikers.htm" target="_blank">hitchhikers</a>
 
dsa_mom

dsa_mom

Member
Here's another thought--could it be one leg of a brittle star? We have a couple that live under our live rock--I have never seen anything more than just one or two legs and they do look kind of "wormy"
Just a suggestion.
 
nicenakago

nicenakago

Member
NM Reef,
Thanks for the link to the Pics. Turns out that #2 mentioned above is a Fan Worm (wheew!) :cool:
#1 Are peanut worms cool?
 
bang guy

bang guy

Moderator
Originally posted by NiceNakago:
<strong>
#1 Are peanut worms cool?</strong><hr></blockquote>
Peanut worms are WAY kewl. That would be great if that's what it is. All of mine are a monochromatic beige though, not striped. See if you can detect any type of antenna or mouth. It could also be a tentacle from a Cirratulid worm.
 
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